Ling Chi Yuan stroked his chin, his gaze lingering on Feng Ran. He was filled with confusion. He had seen all sorts of beauties, and none of them had ever captured his attention.
Yet, the person before him, though not exceptionally stunning, had inexplicably piqued his interest.
What was it about her that drew him in?
He leaned closer to Feng Ran, sniffing the air, and said with a hint of helplessness, "What have you put on to be so alluring?"
Ling Chi Yuan's words made Feng Ran frown slightly. As she was still wondering what he meant, Ling Chi Yuan's hand landed on her waist, his face breaking into a smile.
Feng Ran stared at him in pure terror, not understanding what he intended to do.
"You… you people… you are shameless!" a sinister voice suddenly echoed. Feng Ran was overcome with shame and desperately wanted to push him away.
Despite being in Chunman Yuan, she could not be as brazen as the other women.
"Please, let me go, can you?" Feng Ran's voice was filled with desperate pleading.
She was already mired in this situation. She didn't want any rumors to spread about her.
"Can't you two be more discreet?" Qing Huan's displeased voice, laced with resentment, rang out.
If not for Aunt Sheng's punishment and warning, she wouldn't be standing here so calmly, saying these words.
If Feng Ran hadn't caused her such misfortune, how could her current predicament be like this?
Feng Ran was well protected by Aunt Sheng, leaving her no opportunity to cause trouble. Today, luck was on her side, and seeing Feng Ran, she wouldn't let this golden opportunity slip by.
Since Feng Ran had wronged her so severely, Feng Ran must pay a bloody price.
Qing Huan knew very well that the man before her was the one she had always desired. If she could win him over, she would thrive in Chunman Yuan.
She recognized this man. Ling Chi Yuan, the sole heir of the Ling family, whose family controlled half the financial transactions of the imperial city. Even Xuan Yuan Heng showed him some deference, not daring to act rashly against him.
Ling Chi Yuan was the Ling family's only son and a notorious playboy. Few in the imperial city dared to offend him.
To offend Ling Chi Yuan meant one could kiss their future in the imperial city goodbye.
Qing Huan was well aware of this, and thus, she was doing everything she could to attract Ling Chi Yuan's attention.
However, what she hadn't anticipated was that Ling Chi Yuan already knew Feng Ran.
Her face turned extremely grim. She couldn't comprehend why everyone she desired was connected to Feng Ran. And why were these men so blind, all captivated by Feng Ran?
What was so special about Feng Ran?
If she had to lose to anyone else, she might accept it. But losing to Feng Ran, she was unwilling.
What right did Feng Ran have to make Ling Chi Yuan take notice of her?
Qing Huan didn't want to reveal her anger too obviously. Her only thought now was that her forbearance and concession would draw Ling Chi Yuan's gaze to her.
She knew this wasn't the best opportunity, but she couldn't just watch this precious chance be snatched away by Feng Ran. She wanted more.
The moment she saw Qing Huan, Feng Ran looked up and met her gaze directly, neither flinching nor looking away.
Faced with Feng Ran's provocative demeanor, Qing Huan felt an urge to confront her directly, even considering harming her.
But she wanted to impress Ling Chi Yuan and chose to ignore Feng Ran.
"Young Master Ling, I… I didn't know this would happen, I…"
"I will not speak of what I saw today. Young Master Ling, you can rest assured."
With that, Qing Huan bowed and prepared to leave.
However, at that moment, Feng Ran, seizing the opportunity when Ling Chi Yuan was distracted, escaped.
As Ling Chi Yuan moved to grab Feng Ran, Qing Huan deliberately stumbled, blocking his path.
Seeing Feng Ran flee, Qing Huan's face broke into a triumphant smile.
As she looked up, she quickly masked her smile and looked at Ling Chi Yuan with feigned gratitude, saying, "Young Master Ling, if not for you, my face would have been ruined."
"Young Master Ling, Qing Huan has no way to repay your kindness except to offer my heartfelt gratitude."
As she sensed Ling Chi Yuan's gaze upon her, Qing Huan's heart pounded with excitement, her face flushing. She said shyly, "Young Master Ling, you may have your way with me."
As Feng Ran's figure disappeared, Ling Chi Yuan finally turned his reluctant gaze to Qing Huan. He was well aware of the calculations in her eyes and her true intentions.
However, he had seen it all before and knew exactly how to handle it.
Ling Chi Yuan maintained his flippant demeanor, his eyes on Qing Huan filled with an unreadable light.
Qing Huan's hands were clenched tightly, and she lowered her head, her heart already racing with excitement.
With a blush, she shyly said, "Young Master Ling, you may have your way with me." Her hand gently brushed against Ling Chi Yuan's belt, a subtle gesture that conveyed her meaning clearly.
His peach blossom eyes regarded Qing Huan with playful amusement.
Yet, Qing Huan was solely focused on how to win Ling Chi Yuan over now that she believed she had captivated him.
She had initially thought Ling Chi Yuan would be difficult to impress, but it had turned out to be surprisingly easy. Perhaps, she had been mistaken all along.
It seemed some things were not as complicated as they appeared on the surface.
Recalling her past hesitations, she now felt utterly foolish.
Ling Chi Yuan leaned against the doorframe, practically trapping Qing Huan in his embrace. He whispered playfully in her ear, "Qing Huan, that's a good name." He exhaled warmly into her ear, the atmosphere becoming exceedingly intimate.
Qing Huan had never imagined she would be this close to Ling Chi Yuan. Her heart pounding with excitement, she said, "Young Master Ling, I… I… I am different from the other girls here. I… I perform but do not sell myself."
"Young Master Ling, I am much better than Feng Ran."
"Young Master Ling, I can serve you. Whatever you desire, I can do it."
"Heh." Ling Chi Yuan let out a light scoff, a mocking smile playing on his lips. He said derisively, "Is that so? Perform but do not sell yourself. Then, this young master shall see how this little beauty performs without selling herself, and how she serves this young master to his satisfaction."
"How do you intend to satisfy this young master?" Ling Chi Yuan was very close to Qing Huan, his lips almost brushing her cheek as he spoke.
Qing Huan was flustered by Ling Chi Yuan's flirtatious advances.